May 3, 2012

"All the eyes of America for the next 5 weeks are going to be on the state of Wisconsin. For the next 5 weeks, America is going to find out the answer to what is more powerful: the people or the moneyed special interests from Washington, DC."

It's Chris Christie (talking about the Scott Walker recall):

Via Hot Air. When I clicked through to the YouTube page to get the code to embed, the video began with an ad... for Tom Barrett. Barrett is the Democrat most likely to win next Tuesday's Democratic primary and be Walker's opponent in the recall election. Impressive business model, YouTube!

Typing out the quote above, I wondered if I'd discovered the secret to Chris Christie's rhetoric. It's a rule of 3. Say something once. Then restate it with the same key words, but in a somewhat different order. Then say it a third time, carrying over some key words — e.g., "America" and "next 5 weeks" — and add on one new thought. (Let me know if you see other examples of what I'll call The Christie Rule of 3.)

As for that YouTube ad -- during the last (2010) election, the Michigan 7th Congressional incumbent spent lots of money on YouTube ads. I recall seeing one of his ads on a YouTube video that discussed vaginal farts. When I called his campaign committee to ask them about that ad placement, the poor young (female) aide totally lost it.

I think the Rule of 3 is perfect for many things (including speaking to the general population) but not for a law school lecture unless it is a unique point the professor wants to be sure is understood.

Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public

Nobody made money on doing that either.

I'm not a fan of that say you're going to say it, say it, say you said it type of teaching style in the classroom. Important points are stressed throughout the semester, and I might ask the students if they remember such-and-such from three weeks ago when I said it, and said it was important, and said that I'd mention it again.

For a talk at a conference, I will sometimes use that speaking style -- warn, say, recap (lather, rinse, repeat) -- but only if I have one or two points to get across.

You might ask: How can the Soviet Union and Wisconsin belong on the same list?

Revealed! Wisconsin spends billions in defense to keep the hordes from Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota from invading (except for specific periods defined as 'Vacation Seasons') -- but those monies are in a special secret fund that I thought no out-of-stater knows about. I only know about if because it comes in the tax forms Wisconsin mails me every January. (This is why Wisconsin tax rates are high) I will probably be exiled to Duluth in February for revealing this information. It's been nice knowing you all.

I think the audience did rebel against, "DON'T GO". In an almost Onion like follow-up. the nanny UW Dean is now suggesting students go to the Farmers market instead of the Mifflin Party. You can't make this stuff up. Onion can just report the news straight on this fiasco

I want Chris Christie to run for President someday, if for no other reason than to enjoy the hypocrisy of the Democrats and national media -- who are forever lecturing us about "civility" -- as they savage him about his weight. It will be a way to stick it to all the Nanny State hand-wringers who want us to subsist on tofu and organically grown sprouts, as well as a means of drawing out the irrational inner hatred of the Left so that it will be on display for everyone to see.

The rhetorical method described is the classic Army Way. Tell them what you are going to teach, teach it and tell them what they were just taught. I once got in troubler in a medical school faculty meeting by saying that the US Army was the greatest educational institution (and success at it) in US history. It taught 200,000 men of average intelligence to fly in World War Two and did it in three years, By 1943, the Navy had too many pilots. They had anticipated worse losses in carrier combat.

Another instructor, of course a leftist women, snorted to show her contempt for the idea.

Sloan said... I want Chris Christie to run for President someday, if for no other reason than to enjoy the hypocrisy of the Democrats and national media -- who are forever lecturing us about "civility" -- as they savage him about his weight. It will be a way to stick it to all the Nanny State hand-wringers who want us to subsist on tofu and organically grown sprouts, as well as a means of drawing out the irrational inner hatred of the Left so that it will be on display for everyone to see.

I will gladly accept the word of Mr. Christie over that of the lying pol who inhabits the White House....Mr. Christie is a breath of fresh air and one who calls it as it is....Reminds me of Harry Truman. We need him right about now after almost 4 years of the " Vactioner-in-Chief" and his half-wit lecturing wife. OMG - Obama Must GO !!!!

In our culture unfortunately, you can't win a national office if you're obese. The fact that Newt didn't lose weight was one of MANY reasons he was rejected, albeit not in the top 10 rerasons. If you see Christie losing weight..watch out Dems.

In Jersey, that crook Dem Corzine made fun of his weight and there was a backlash. As there would be here in obese Wi. But, nationwide it's a big liability.

An aunt has a picture of herself and about a dozen brothers, sisters, cousins standing in a line in their bathing suits when they were children. Taken about 50 years ago. When I saw it, the first thing that impressed me was that none of them were fat.

leslyn, You are absolutely correct. Back then, only the wealthy could afford to be fat. Fatness was a sign of wealth. Now, the wealthy are all skinny[and anorexic] and middle class and poor are fat. Good observation. You can learn much from old photos.Look @ old high school yearbooks and then current ones..startling!